Men’s No. 1 Jannik Sinner will look to repeat as champion at the U.S. Open after winning the title last year. A win in 2025 would put Sinner in rarified company. The 24-year-old has already won the Australian Open and Wimbledon. A win at the U.S. Open would give Sinner wins at three out of four Grand Slams in 2025. While he did not win the 2025 French Open, Sinner came close, reaching the final where he was defeated by Carlos Alcaraz.

Sinner’s opponent is Félix Auger-Aliassime, who has turned into a giant-slayer. Despite being ranked as the No. 25 men’s player, Aliassime has dispatched the No. 3, No. 8 and No. 15 ranked men’s players at the 2025 U.S. Open. It would only be fitting if Auger-Aliassime took down the men’s No. 1 next. If he can manage that, Auger-Aliassime would reach a Grand Slam final for the first time in his career.

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Carlos Alcaraz defeats Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-6 (4), 6-2

The difference between a 38-year-old Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz, 22, is that the young sensation can win when he doesn’t play his best. Alcaraz wasn’t sharp in Thursday’s semifinal. He appeared to be searching for the right approach, attempting to throw Djokovic off with drop shots rather than controlling with his serve and forehand.

That allowed Djokovic to hang in the match despite Alcaraz having an obvious advantage in speed and athleticism. Though he had trouble keeping up moving move side to side, Djokovic was precise with his returns. The 24-time Grand Slam champion won several points with shots inside the line that looked to be guided by laser.

A more focused Alcaraz likely could have dispatched Djokovic sooner. Djokovic required maximum effort to keep up. Losing the second set after taking a 3-0 lead, he appeared to be spent. Djokovic asked for treatment to work on his neck before the third set, but perhaps needed a respite to delay the inevitable.

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Djokovic had little left in the third set, his feet looking heavier and his movements slower. His pure skill allowed him to win a game, but losing that second set made it apparent that he wouldn’t defeat Alcaraz. A 14th meeting with Sinner is likely next.

Date: Friday, September 5

Jannik Sinner-Félix Auger-Aliassime start time (approximate): 7:05 p.m. ET

Location: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center | Queens, NY

TV channel: ESPN

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